Huss and Dalton: Singletree

Submitted by waync on 2/11/2006

Where Purchased: Dreamcatcher Guitars

Year Purchased: 06
Price Paid: 899 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

i'm only one month into learning clawhammer style and the singletree is my first openback banjo. i bought the banjo used and it needed some help in getting the best sound out of it. the previous owner had installed a frosted head, which didn't sound great
on this banjo. there were also light strings which had no punch and buzzed on the first fret. i think this was fixed by tightening the head and med strings.

after replacing strings, head, and bridge the banjo sounds great, certainly a darker sound then almost any banjo i've heard on line. very plucky, nice quite fifth string, long sustain on the fourth string, crisp plucky highs. overall a dark earthy sound, reminds me of a misty morning with moss hanging from trees. playing in the "scoop" is a real treat, playing over the head i've been able to get that "chinky" sound when playing chords.

the "10" rating reflects what i wanted from a banjo, it's a unique sound though, some may not like it as much.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

i replaced the frosted head with a high crown renaissance, a 1/2" heavy moon bridge, and ome med strings and the banjo came alive. this was my first time to change
a banjo head, everything worked perfectly the first time. no problems with the hardware, except i had no idea what i was doing. easy to figure out though.

the first few days the rim cut into my arm, but since then i've had no problem with it.
not sure what changed, i'm sure it has everything to do with position.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

when i started looking for a banjo i was turned off by the glitz of almost every banjo on the market, maybe it's just all the metal and over the top inlays, but it was way too much
for my eyes. when i saw the singletree it was appreciation and love at first sight. this
banjo is the utmost in understated elegance. even the smallish leaf inlay on the peg head is most tasteful, vey thin, fine lines. the nickel plated hardware and black painted mapel pot are a nice match with the ebony finger board and rosewood caps on everything.

no flaws, nicely built and finished. a metal makers plaque would be nice instead of the
paper id sticker.

this is not a banjo elvis would have bought.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

everything seems to be well made and fits together perfectly. no problem areas that i can see

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

i've only contacted them concerning the frosted head, quick response and helpful.

Customer Service: 10

Components

best i can tell the hardware is all top notch. very nice hardware attaching the neck to the rim. tuners are very easy and precise.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

personally, i would pay the MSRP just to have a banjo that is as plain as the singletree.
if you're looking for a darker moody sound from a banjo and like simple over flash this is a nice banjo. i was offered a price of $1,150 for a new one, i would buy again at
that price. for a second banjo i would buy the one with the tuba-phone tone ring. just to have the different sound in the same perfect package

if it was stolen? i'd buy another.

unique style, one of my favorite things about the singletree, the dark mossy sound fits the look perfectly.

Overall Rating: 10